8: Keeping Track of Your Efforts

I often ask clients to build a spreadsheet with the following columns:

• Company name: List out the top 20-40 companies that have the job(s) you want, whether or not there is presently a position available.
• Rank: Rank them by A (dream job and would do anything to get it), B (great opportunity and would likely take the job if offered), C (not sure if the effort to get this job is worth it)
• Contacts: Who do you know that might have something to do with this company? Family, friends, colleagues, alumni or acquaintances.
• Comments: Why did you rank it the way you did and what do you know about the contact(s)? Keep track of conversations and tidbits of information.
• Follow up: What actions do you have to do next? Can you remove this company from your target list? Did your contact give you another contact? Do you need to send in your resume? Did your contact ask you to call back in 3 weeks? Keep track of what was said and what you have to do later.

This is a good networking tracking exercise when making a career transition. However, in the age of the Internet... online tools to organize and develop your network are inevitable! If you are not already connected to friends via interest-based sites like Yahoo, MSN, Google, Blogger, My Space, etc., you should be! The best organized networking tool I've seen is LinkedIn: they have programmed the whole concept of networking into an easy-to-use and powerful website, nicely incorporating job search by connecting you to people worldwide.

If you are just starting your networking, my recommendation is to set up a simple spreadsheet, as your initial meetings may be only to help you clarify HERE and THERE. Know exactly how you want to position yourself before signing up with something like LinkedIn. TIP: By the way, not everyone will be comfortable being contacted via the Internet, so do be sensitive and thoughtful.